Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, hi there. Welcome to Odyssey. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but most folks around here call me Whit. Why don't you get the whole family together and join us for another exciting adventure in Odyssey.

Jared DeWhite: Do you remember my cat Simpson?

Rodney Rathbone: Is that what's in the box?

Jared DeWhite: Yep. I just want to take her up for a spin.

Rodney Rathbone: This is really cool.

Jared DeWhite: Kitty cat at 3 o'clock.

Mandy Straussberg: Why is real nice?

Rodney Rathbone: Cool, huh?

Jared DeWhite: Simpson.

Officer McCoy: Here, kitty.

Rodney Rathbone: You don't know anything about a cat.

Jared DeWhite: Hey guys.

Mandy Straussberg: Hi Jared.

Jared DeWhite: It's about time you showed up.

Rodney Rathbone: I was just looking at Otis's place. Cool science fair, huh?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah. Did you see Dwayne's model town? It has little cars and trains and even sounds like a city. It's really cool.

Rodney Rathbone: Thanks Cody. But so is your model solar system. I love how the planets really spin.

Jared DeWhite: What's your display, Mandy?

Mandy Straussberg: It's called Pavlov's theory. See, when my cat Simpson rings the bell, he gets a treat. Now, when I put him in this box and ring a bell, watch what happens.

Jared DeWhite: Ew, he's slobbering.

Mandy Straussberg: Yeah. Cuz every time he hears the bell, he thinks he's going to get a treat.

Jared DeWhite: Cool, huh?

Rodney Rathbone: They're all cool, but uh not as cool as my project.

Jared DeWhite: Oh yeah?

Mandy Straussberg: You've been bragging about it all week.

Jared DeWhite: Is that what's in the box?

Rodney Rathbone: Yep.

Mandy Straussberg: Well, let's see it.

Rodney Rathbone: Okay. Ta-da. A model plane.

Jared DeWhite: Big deal.

Rodney Rathbone: Not just a model plane, a remote controlled radio operated fully functioning model of a P-51 Mustang Spitfire I built from scratch.

Jared DeWhite: A model plane.

Rodney Rathbone: Big deal.

Jared DeWhite: You don't get it. It really flies and shoots pellets from wing mounted machine guns.

Mandy Straussberg: Wow. So, how about a demonstration?

Jared DeWhite: Sure.

Mandy Straussberg: Why is real nice?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, it's got a lot of range and speed, too.

Rodney Rathbone: Well, well, well, what do we got here?

Jared DeWhite: Rodney.

Rodney Rathbone: A toy plane. Grab him guys.

Jared DeWhite: Hey, come here.

Rodney Rathbone: Give me back the controls, Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: In a sec. I just want to take her up for a spin. Hey, this is pretty cool. What's this button for? Machine guns and then we can send it on a strafing run. You thought of everything.

Rodney Rathbone: No, Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: Coming around. Look out science fair. Kitty cat at 3 o'clock.

Mandy Straussberg: Stop it, Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: Model solar system ahead.

Rodney Rathbone: Rodney, no.

Jared DeWhite: Oh no. I'm heading for the mock city. Stop, stop. Mayday, mayday. Oh, I can't pull up. I'm going to I'm going down.

Rodney Rathbone: Oh wow, cool plane, Dwight. Or at least it was.

Jared DeWhite: Come on, let's get out of here.

Officer McCoy: Wrathbone.

Jared DeWhite: Oh Hey, let go. I didn't do nothing.

Officer McCoy: You've destroyed our science fair.

Jared DeWhite: And wrecked my plane.

Rodney Rathbone: I was just trying it out and then it went wild. It's your fault. You shouldn't have made such a crazy project.

Officer McCoy: All right, all right, that's enough. Jared, back off now.

Rodney Rathbone: I spent 6 weeks on that plane. 6 weeks of hard work that you ruined, Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: Cool. Sorry.

Officer McCoy: You will be when I call your parents and tell them you've been suspended again.

Jared DeWhite: Well, actually sir, my folks are out of town. You can try calling them if you want, but I I think the conversation will be kind of boring.

Officer McCoy: Zip it, Wrathbone. Come with me.

Jared DeWhite: Easy, easy. Hey Jared, thanks for letting me play with your little plane.

Rodney Rathbone: Laugh now, Wrathbone, but you'll pay for this. Some way, somehow I'll make you pay.

Announcer: Find out what's going on in other parts of Odyssey in the new Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip.

Mandy Straussberg: You're serious.

Announcer: Catch up with some long lost characters with fully illustrated art

Officer McCoy: What a sight.

Announcer: and original stories.

Officer McCoy: All right, for the good of the theater.

Announcer: They've been here in town all along, but now you can read about what they've been up to. You are not going to believe this. Plus, new surprises wait around every turn.

Officer McCoy: It's nice to see you again.

Jared DeWhite: Crossman.

Announcer: The Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip, a new weekly release only in the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Mandy Straussberg: And then as the principal was taking them away, Rodney said, thanks for letting me play with your little plane.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, it sounds like Rodney all right. Uh hand me those pruning shears, please.

Rodney Rathbone: Sure. Here you go.

Jared DeWhite: 6 weeks, Mr. Whittaker, 6 weeks of hard work down the tubes. Not to mention wrecking the whole science fair. Rodney is no good. He needs to be punished.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, he is being punished with suspension.

Jared DeWhite: It isn't enough. It just gives Rodney time to come up with more rotten things to do.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, maybe a little love is in order, huh?

Jared DeWhite: Love?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, you know, like Jesus said, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Jared DeWhite: Jesus obviously never met Rodney Wrathbone.

Mandy Straussberg: Help, help, somebody, anybody.

Jared DeWhite: Mandy.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, oh, calm down. What what's wrong? Tell me what's wrong.

Mandy Straussberg: It's terrible. This awful.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What what is?

Mandy Straussberg: Simpson has disappeared.

Jared DeWhite: Is that all? I thought it was something important.

Mandy Straussberg: Who? Simpson, my cat. And it is important, Jared.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh now, now, when did you last see him?

Mandy Straussberg: This morning when I let him out. He always comes back when it's time to eat. But this morning he didn't. I even put out his favorite food. I've looked everywhere for him, but he's nowhere to be found.

Jared DeWhite: Wait a minute. You live next door to Rodney, right?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared.

Mandy Straussberg: Yes, so.

Jared DeWhite: So, Rodney's mom likes fur coats. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he didn't kidnap Simpson and

Officer McCoy: Oh Jared, that's enough.

Jared DeWhite: I wonder what the penalty is for cat napping.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared. Mandy. Look. You also live near McCallister Park, don't you?

Mandy Straussberg: Yeah, across the street from it. Why?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh because that's probably where Simpson is. Cats like to wander, you know.

Mandy Straussberg: He's never wandered before.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, there's a first time for everything. I'll tell you what, Mandy. I'll call animal control and tell them to be on the alert. And then Jared and I will search the park for Simpson.

Mandy Straussberg: What? What should I do?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I think you should go back home in case Simpson shows up again.

Mandy Straussberg: Yeah, maybe you're right. Okay, thanks Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No. Bye-bye, Mandy.

Jared DeWhite: Why did you volunteer me?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Don't you want to help your friend?

Jared DeWhite: Not really.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared, shame on you. And double shame on you for what you were going to say about Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, how come you stopped me?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Because you have no proof that Rodney did anything to Simpson.

Jared DeWhite: Proof? He said lots of times how much he hates that cat. He even shot at it yesterday with my Spitfire. How much more proof do you need?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, unless a witness steps forward, we'll have to assume Rodney is innocent. Now, come on. Let's go search that park.

Jared DeWhite: All right.

Rodney Rathbone: Simpson.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Here, kitty. Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Jared DeWhite: You really think he would have come all the way to the pond, Mr. Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I don't know. Maybe.

Jared DeWhite: Hey look, it's Dwayne and Cody.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh.

Jared DeWhite: Hi you guys.

Rodney Rathbone: Oh hi Jared.

Mandy Straussberg: Hi Jared.

Jared DeWhite: Hi Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Hi you boys. What brings you out here?

Jared DeWhite: Did Mandy rope you into looking for her cat, too?

Rodney Rathbone: We don't know anything about a cat.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, we're here because somebody stole our bikes.

Mandy Straussberg: What?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What happened?

Jared DeWhite: We rode around the park and stopped at the pond to play in the water for a while.

Rodney Rathbone: We left our bikes near this stream and when we came back, they were gone.

Jared DeWhite: Stolen bikes, huh? You didn't happen to see Rodney Wrathbone around here, did you?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared.

Jared DeWhite: What was that about Rodney?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh nothing, nothing. Listen boys, I'm sorry about your bikes, but I think the best thing for you to do is to report their loss to the police right after you tell your folks that is.

Jared DeWhite: You know, I knew when I saw you that you were going to say something like that.

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah, me too. Come on Dwayne, let's get this over with.

Jared DeWhite: See Jared. Bye Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Bye-bye guys.

Rodney Rathbone: Bye, see you.

Jared DeWhite: Bye Mr. Whittaker.

Rodney Rathbone: Come on, Mr. Whittaker. Stealing bikes, that's right up Rodney's alley. He probably sells them to the black market and makes a mint. You know, they got Al Capone for tax invasion. Maybe we could do the same thing.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You still have no proof, Jared. Even Rodney is innocent until proven guilty.

Jared DeWhite: All right, Mr. Whittaker. Wait a minute. What's this?

Officer McCoy: Pocket knife.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, it's halfway buried in the dirt next to the Aha.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What?

Jared DeWhite: You wanted proof, Mr. Whittaker? Well, look what's carved in the handle.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh. RR.

Jared DeWhite: Rodney Wrathbone. He must have dropped it when he stole the bikes.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Just because Rodney's knife was here doesn't mean he stole anything.

Jared DeWhite: Uh-huh.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared, I don't want to hear anymore. Now, it 's getting late and I need to get back to Whit's end. We should also call Mandy and see if Simpson came back. Now, come on. Jared, I just can't believe you're so quick to judge without the facts. Would you like it if someone did that to you?

Jared DeWhite: No, but I'm the vanguard of justice here and Rodney is the guy who needs vanguarding.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Vanguarding?

Jared DeWhite: You know what I mean. He's not as clean as the driven snow, you know.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, that doesn't make any difference. Rodney deserves the same consideration as

Jared DeWhite: Same consideration as what?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Something Something's burning.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah. Mr. Whittaker, across the street, it's the school.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared, get to a phone and call 911.

Jared DeWhite: What are you going to do?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Find a garden hose. Go, go, go, go. Thanks guys.

Officer McCoy: How bad is the damage officer McCoy?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Not as bad as it could have been. Thanks to you and Jared.

Officer McCoy: Do you know how the fire started? Well, we found a gas can, but have no suspects as of yet.

Jared DeWhite: I have a suspect for you. Rodney Wrathbone.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh boy. Rodney, do you have any proof, Jared?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, he nearly burned down the school yesterday at the science fair.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Now Jared, don't exaggerate.

Jared DeWhite: Rodney crashed my model airplane into Dwayne's mock city and caused an explosion. He even got suspended for it. Ask the principal if you don't believe me. Word around town is that he's a kleptomaniac.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): A thief?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, that too. But he likes to start stuff on fire.

Officer McCoy: Jared, you mean a pyromaniac.

Jared DeWhite: Really some kind of maniac, that's for sure.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Officer McCoy, this is all circumstantial.

Officer McCoy: True, but it might be worth checking out. I think I better pay Rodney a little visit.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, if we tag along.

Officer McCoy: Well, I guess so, but let me do the talking. Hm, he doesn't seem to be home.

Jared DeWhite: I know his folks aren't. When he wrecked the fair yesterday, he said his mom and dad were out of town.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, officer McCoy, maybe we should just sort of rethink this whole thing.

Jared DeWhite: It's Rodney. He's trying to get away.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared.

Officer McCoy: Hey, just a minute.

Jared DeWhite: Going somewhere, Wrathbone?

Mandy Straussberg: I just climbed down the fence I slipped. Oh, help me out of here.

Jared DeWhite: No, I'll help you all right. And into jail.

Mandy Straussberg: What? What are you talking about?

Jared DeWhite: You set the school on fire this afternoon.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared.

Mandy Straussberg: You're crazy.

Jared DeWhite: Then why were you trying to get away?

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah, Rodney, I'd like to know that myself.

Mandy Straussberg: I wasn't trying to get away.

Officer McCoy: I rang the doorbell several times.

Mandy Straussberg: Well, I didn't hear you. I was on my way out.

Jared DeWhite: Were to kidnap more cats and steal more bicycles?

Mandy Straussberg: What?

Jared DeWhite: You know what, Wrathbone? You kidnapped Mandy's cat. You stole Cody and Dwayne's bicycles in the pond.

Mandy Straussberg: Jared. Did not.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, well you left your calling card at the scene of the crime.

Mandy Straussberg: My pocket knife?

Jared DeWhite: So, you admit it.

Mandy Straussberg: I admit I lost it a couple of days ago.

Jared DeWhite: A likely story. Just like the story about not setting the school on fire.

Mandy Straussberg: I tell you I didn't do it.

Officer McCoy: Really? Well, how do you explain these?

Mandy Straussberg: They're just some old rags.

Officer McCoy: Yes, soaked in gasoline.

Mandy Straussberg: Aha. I used those to clean my mini bike.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Can we see your mini bike, Rodney?

Mandy Straussberg: Well, it it wasn't exactly mine. I I sort of borrowed it from a friend.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Let me guess, a friend who didn't know you borrowed it, right?

Mandy Straussberg: Hey, I gave it back in better condition than I got it.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Rodney.

Officer McCoy: You know, I think you and I need to take a little ride downtown, Mr. Wrathbone.

Mandy Straussberg: Oh man, I didn't do anything. You got to believe me. Please, somebody believe me.

Officer McCoy: Come on, let's go.

Mandy Straussberg: Man, no, I didn't do it.

Jared DeWhite: It's not going to work this time, Rodney. You're getting what you deserve. You're going to jail. You're going down.

Chris: Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-AFAMILY with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Jared DeWhite: Mom, I'm going to Whit's end. I'll be back later.

Mandy Straussberg: Hey Jared.

Jared DeWhite: Hi Mandy. Great day, huh?

Mandy Straussberg: I guess. Listen, I wanted to say thanks for looking for my cat yesterday.

Jared DeWhite: No problem. And don't worry, the police will squeeze out of Rodney where he took Simpson.

Rodney Rathbone: Say what?

Jared DeWhite: The police have Rodney. They'll make him tell where he took your cat.

Mandy Straussberg: Okay, I am confused. Rodney took Simpson?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, he all but admitted it yesterday and I'm sure the police will bring Simpson back to you really soon.

Mandy Straussberg: You remember my cat Simpson, the one Rodney supposedly took?

Jared DeWhite: But but but how? When?

Mandy Straussberg: Yesterday when I got home, Simpson was here waiting for me.

Jared DeWhite: Oh. Well, I'm uh I'm happy for you.

Mandy Straussberg: Thanks. So, what's this about Rodney and the police?

Jared DeWhite: Uh never mind. I 'll see you. That was way too long Simpson. Jared is much. I was sure Rodney kidnapped Simpson. I mean, he always said he'd get rid of the cat if he could. Oh well, they still got him for the fire and the stolen No. Hey Dwayne, hey Cody.

Rodney Rathbone: Hey Jared.

Jared DeWhite: Hi.

Rodney Rathbone: You let your bikes back.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah.

Rodney Rathbone: I knew Rodney would tell the police where to find them.

Jared DeWhite: Rodney.

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah, Rodney took your bikes, right?

Jared DeWhite: No. Rodney didn't have anything to do with our bikes.

Rodney Rathbone: Then who took them?

Jared DeWhite: Our folks did.

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah, they've warned us over and over about locking up our bikes.

Jared DeWhite: Yesterday when we stopped by the pond, our parents drove by and saw that we didn't lock our bikes to the tree.

Rodney Rathbone: So, they decided to teach us a lesson and took them.

Jared DeWhite: I found Rodney's pocket knife at the tree after you left.

Rodney Rathbone: If he didn't take the bikes, how did the knife get there?

Jared DeWhite: Rodney hangs around the pond all the time.

Rodney Rathbone: He probably dropped out of his pocket.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, his pocket. Listen, I'll see you guys around, okay?

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah. Sure.

Mandy Straussberg: See you.

Jared DeWhite: This is not good. But we found the rags with the gasoline. Rodney must have started the fire. I better go see Mr. Whittaker. Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh Jared, I was just coming to get you.

Jared DeWhite: You were? Why?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, hop in the car and I 'll explain on the way. Okay. Now, I just got off the phone with the fire department. They conducted tests on the burn section of the school. The fire wasn't arson. Faulty electrical wiring caused it.

Jared DeWhite: What about the gas can?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, the school janitor put the can in the storeroom. He was going to pick it up later, but forgot. The sparks from the wiring fell on the can and caused it to ignite. The point is, Rodney didn't start that fire. He's completely innocent.

Jared DeWhite: Oh man, I got everything wrong.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Everything?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, I also found out that Rodney didn't take Simpson or the bikes either.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, maybe now you see why you shouldn't accuse people until you have all the facts.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah. I was just so mad because he wrecked my plane.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh revenge does that to you. Makes you blind to the truth. All you think about is getting even. That's why God said, vengeance is mine. I will repay.

Jared DeWhite: I don't want Rodney to go to jail for something he didn't do. We have to tell the police, Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I've already called them. But because Rodney's parents are out of town, they're transferring him over to the juvenile detention center on Old Gower Road.

Jared DeWhite: So, he doesn't know?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No, but we're going to pick him up. And you're going to do some apologizing.

Jared DeWhite: Yes, sir. Oh oh.

Rodney Rathbone: What's the matter?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, it looks like an accident up ahead. A car ran off the road.

Jared DeWhite: That's not just a car. That's a police car.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Hello. Hello. Is everyone all right there? Officer McCoy. Easy, easy now. Are you all right?

Officer McCoy: Yeah, I think so.

Jared DeWhite: What happened?

Officer McCoy: Cow crossed in front of us. I swerved to avoid it and wound up in a ditch. Must have knocked me unconscious for a minute. How's Rodney?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Rodney?

Officer McCoy: Yeah, he's in the back seat.

Jared DeWhite: Um no, he isn't.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What? Oh, easy, easy officer.

Jared DeWhite: I think Rodney has escaped.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Great. That door must have popped open when you went into the ditch. Rodney saw you were knocked out and took off.

Officer McCoy: I have to find him.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No, no, no, you need to relax.

Jared DeWhite: Mr. Whittaker, look at this field. See how the grass has been tromped down?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, yeah, it looks like Rodney left us a path to follow.

Jared DeWhite: What should we do?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, first I'm going to radio for help for officer McCoy. Then you and I are going to go find Rodney.

Jared DeWhite: You think we'll find him, Mr. Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, as a matter of fact, I think we just did. Look at the trail. It stops before it hits the woods.

Jared DeWhite: And it doesn't head off in any other direction either. But how is that possible unless Rodney went straight up?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Or straight down. Come on.

Jared DeWhite: The path stops right up here, but I don't see anything.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Watch out Jared.

Jared DeWhite: Where'd that hole come from?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I was afraid of this. You see the broken boards? It's an abandoned well. Stay back, stay back. The surrounding boards might still be weak.

Jared DeWhite: You mean Rodney's down there?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I don't know. Let's find out. Rodney. It's Whit. Are you down there?

Jared DeWhite: Why isn't he answering?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): He might be unconscious. Either that or he's trying to make us think he isn't down there.

Jared DeWhite: Rodney, it's Jared. You're not going to jail. We know you didn't start the fire. You're innocent.

Mandy Straussberg: Then get me out of here.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, okay. Can you climb out?

Mandy Straussberg: No, I think my arm's broke. I ain't at the bottom of this thing. I'm laying on a board, but it doesn't feel very strong. Whoa. Hurry.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): All right, all right. I need to run back and get my car now. Don't move. Stay with him, Jared. Talk to him.

Jared DeWhite: What do I say?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I think you know. I'll be right back.

Jared DeWhite: Rodney, it's Jared again.

Mandy Straussberg: You must be real happy about this.

Jared DeWhite: No, I'm not. Listen, I know you didn't kidnap Simpson or steal the bikes either.

Mandy Straussberg: I told you I didn't.

Jared DeWhite: I know, I know. I was just so mad about you wrecking my plane. Anyway, what I'm well what I'm trying to say is

Mandy Straussberg: Let me guess. You're sorry.

Jared DeWhite: Well, yeah.

Mandy Straussberg: I can't hear you.

Jared DeWhite: I said yeah.

Mandy Straussberg: Well, get me out of here and we'll call it square.

Jared DeWhite: Okay, here comes Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Listen. Listen Jared. I can't fit in that opening. And I don't think that board Rodney is resting on will hold him up much longer. That means you're going to have to take that rope down to him.

Jared DeWhite: All right.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay now, let me tie one end here to my my bumper. Here. And I'll make a loop for the two of you. Like so. And I'll slip it here under your arms. Yeah. Yeah, that that's it. Now, now, I'm I'm going to lower you down slowly. You'll have to help Rodney. Find a foothold and then widen the noose and slip it over Rodney's arms and up tight against his armpits, all right? And then I'll I'll just back the car up and haul both of you out. You understand?

Jared DeWhite: Yes, sir.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): All right then, let's do it. Now, you just climb in the opening. Yeah, there. All right, easy, easy now. Easy.

Mandy Straussberg: Rodney. Watch it. You're dropping dirt on me.

Jared DeWhite: I see you, Mr. Whittaker. About 10 more feet. Okay. Hurry it up. We ain't this morning going to last much longer. Almost. Yes. Okay, Mr. Whittaker, I'm there.

Mandy Straussberg: Hey, don't step on the board. There's no other foothold. Now, come on. Hurry up.

Jared DeWhite: Okay, okay. Ow. It's the arm. Ow. And that one, too. Uh oh. Hurry up, hurry up. Almost there. Okay. Got it, Mr. Whittaker. Go, go.

Rodney Rathbone: Please God, help us. Rodney, it's all right. We're going up.

Mandy Straussberg: Huh? Oh yeah, yeah, we are. We did it. Hey, listen about your plane.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah?

Mandy Straussberg: Well, it was cool. Well,

Jared DeWhite: It's okay, Rodney. I got it. Apology accepted. And thanks.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, that was quite a day.

Jared DeWhite: You can say that again. And maybe, just maybe, Rodney learned his lesson.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, just Rodney, huh?

Jared DeWhite: No, me too. In fact, I learned two lessons.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah. First, I shouldn't try to get revenge. And second, I shouldn't accuse someone without knowing all the facts. Believe me, I won't. I Wait a minute. Wait just a minute.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What's the matter?

Jared DeWhite: Somebody took my cap. Some dirty, lowdown, no good louse took my cap. That really stinks. I just

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Jared. Stand up. Now, look on the floor.

Jared DeWhite: Uh-huh.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What do you see?

Jared DeWhite: It's my cap.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh you were saying?

Jared DeWhite: Uh Never mind.

Chris: Whit told Jared that revenge makes you blind to the truth. He wasn't just speaking figuratively. You see, sometimes people, like our brothers and sisters or our friends, can make us so mad well we can hardly see straight. And all we can think of is getting back at them. That's what happened to a man named Cain. He got so mad at his brother Abel that he killed him. So, how can we keep from feeling this way? Well, Whit had the answer to that, too. When he told Jared what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

That's it for now, except to say that if you'd like to write to me for any reason, I'd love to hear from you. Just send your cards or letters to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own cassette copy of today's episode. It's called A Case of Revenge. That address again is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. A Case of Revenge was written and directed by Phil Lollar.

Our recording engineer was Mark Drury, and our post production engineer was Todd Busteed. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.